CPCS urges guidance on card conversions

The management board of the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) is calling on the industry to propose the way forward for 51,000 red card holders, who have not started the process of conversion to blue cards.

"These people only have a year to 18 months to make the conversion, otherwise they have to start the whole process again," CPCS board member Trevor Gamble told the Construction Plant-hire Association's annual seminar. "As things stand, the red cards are not renewable, but the industry won't let us forget these people," he said.

Some experienced operators are resistant to the NVQ process because they say they feel they are 'being treated like school children'. But Gamble said the government will only recognise the NVQ and has made it clear that if the industry can't put its house in order, it will legislate.

The CPCS board has to make a decision in December and current options include a one-off one-year extension to the red card for operators who could show they have started the NVQ process. Another option is to give the extension to all, but penalise the individual by charging a higher fee.

Gamble said it was almost impossible for individuals to take an NVQ if their employer was not willing. But he said the work could be done in about five hours if the machines, site and assessors were available.

The delegates suggested a series of one-day workshops could provide an answer. "These are the sort of solutions we will have to look at, but we need the industry to propose what it sees as acceptable solutions," he said.